Threat of slips in South Wairarapa, Lower Hutt following severe weather

Wild weather is forecast to ease after battering much of central New Zealand on Friday, but many are still without power and the town of Martinborough is cut off.

On Friday night, firefighters were called to 165 weather-related events, including helping with loose roofing, sheds being blown away and trees falling onto buildings.

More than 2500 households were still without power on Saturday morning, in Waikato, Coromandel Peninsula, Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū and the Wellington Region, including Wairarapa - down from the 7000 properties in the dark on Friday.

Many roads are closed in Wairarapa, where people have been asked to stay off the roads due to flooding and damage: "There are no alternative routes in or out of Martinborough. All routes are closed," South Wairarapa District Council said.